Job 3:20

In 11 translations

BSB

Why is light given to the miserable, and life to the bitter of soul,

KJV

Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;

WEB

“Why is light given to him who is in misery, life to the bitter in soul,

ASV

Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, And life unto the bitter in soul;

LSV

Why does He give light to the miserable, and life to the bitter soul?

YLT

Why giveth He to the miserable light, and life to the bitter soul?

DBY

Wherefore is light given to him that is in trouble, and life to those bitter of soul,

DRC

Why is light given to him that is in misery, and life to them that are in bitterness of soul?

GNV

Wherefore is the light giuen to him that is in miserie? and life vnto them that haue heauie hearts?

JPS

Wherewith is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul —

LXXE

For why is light given to those who are in bitterness, and life to the souls which are in griefs?

Word by word Hebrew · tap a word

Words in brackets are English the glossers added; the Hebrew has no word for them, and they can carry a choice of tense or meaning.

Original-language editions

WLC

לָ֤מָּה יִתֵּ֣ן לְעָמֵ֣ל א֑וֹר וְ֝חַיִּ֗ים לְמָ֣רֵי נָֽפֶשׁ׃

LXX-Br

Ἱνατί γὰρ δέδοται τοῖς ἐν πικρίᾳ φῶς; ζωὴ δὲ ταῖς ἐν ὀδύναις ψυχαῖς,

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In the reference works topics that cite this verse

From public-domain Bible dictionaries and topical indexes (1884–1915).

Cross-references most cited first

• Jeremiah 20:18Why did I come out of the womb to see only trouble and sorrow, and to end my days in shame?
• Job 7:15–16so that I would prefer strangling and death over my life in this body. I loathe my life! I would not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath.
• Proverbs 31:6Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
• 1 Samuel 1:10In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears.
• Job 3:16Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, like an infant who never sees daylight?
• Job 33:30to bring back his soul from the Pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of life.
• Job 6:9that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off!
• 2 Kings 4:27When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me…
• Job 33:28He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and I will live to see the light.’

From the OpenBible.info cross-reference set (votes from readers; not every link is a quotation or allusion).